Shifting one’s mindset
Mindfulness can be a challenging practice for many individuals, often leading to feelings of doubt and the belief that it may not be suitable for them. I have personally encountered these struggles on my own mindfulness journey. However, I have come to recognize the incredible potential for transformation that arises from shifting our mindset towards more positive thinking.
At My Mental Climb, we are strong proponents of therapy and other tools that can facilitate a more helpful mindset. In this article, we will explore the concept of mindfulness, gratitude, exercise, rest and its significance in our mental climb. By embracing the ability to observe our thoughts and detach from them, turn towards what is working, release stress and relax in our bodies we can cultivate a more healthy outlook on life.
Mindfulness: It is important to acknowledge that many people encounter difficulties with mindfulness. Feeling that it is not for you or that you are not good at it is a common sentiment. I too have experienced these doubts. However, it is crucial to remember that mindfulness is a practice that can take time to cultivate. It is not about perfection or clearing the mind entirely, but rather about developing awareness and compassion for oneself.
Mindfulness can take many forms and does not necessarily require hours of meditation. It can be as simple as taking a few moments each day to focus on your breath or engage in a mindful activity such as walking or eating. The key is to find an approach that resonates with you and fits into your lifestyle.
To support you in shifting your mindset towards more positive thinking, here are some valuable resources that can serve as helpful tools on your mental climb:
Resources:
Calm: Promotes relaxation through meditation, sleep stories, nature, images, and sounds. This app offers a variety of mindfulness practices, aligning with the principles of Mental Climb Therapy and aiding in observing and shifting thoughts.
BestSelf Mindful Moments Deck: This deck contains cards with mindfulness prompts and exercises to encourage reflection and mindfulness practice, supporting your mental climb journey.
Headspace: Headspace is a popular mindfulness app that offers guided meditations, mindfulness exercises, and sleep content. It provides a structured approach to mindfulness, catering to beginners as well as those with more experience. The app covers a wide range of topics, including stress reduction, sleep, focus, and relationships.
Gratitude Journaling: During challenging times when everything seemed to be falling apart, I discovered the power of gratitude. It felt counterintuitive to focus on the good when surrounded by hardship, loss, and heaviness. However, embracing gratitude helped me challenge my all-or-nothing mindset, breaking free from the notion that everything was entirely negative. It allowed me to pay attention to the good I still had and actively seek ways to create more positivity.
Resources:
Three Good Things - A Happiness Journal: This journal provides prompts and space to write down three good things that happened each day. It guides you through the practice of gratitude, fostering a positive mindset that aligns with the principles of Mental Climb Therapy.
Intelligent Change: The Five Minute Journal: Designed for just five minutes a day, this journal encourages reflection, gratitude, and positive thinking. It serves as a valuable tool to shift your mindset and enhance your mental climb.
BestSelf Gratitude Journal: This journal offers structured prompts and exercises to cultivate a grateful mindset, helping you focus on the positive aspects of your life. Incorporating the practices from this journal into your mental climb can be truly transformative.
Positive Affirmations: Reframing your perspective through positive affirmations is a powerful tool in shifting your mindset towards positivity. By repeating affirmations daily, you can actively change the narrative in your mind.
Resources:
SoulPancake: SoulPancake is an online platform that offers inspiring and uplifting content, including videos, articles, and activities centered around positivity and personal growth. They provide resources that include positive affirmations to help you reframe your mindset and cultivate a more positive outlook on life.
Video: A Wall of Words
Louise Hay Affirmation Cards: Louise Hay, a renowned author and motivational speaker, created affirmation cards that contain positive statements for self-empowerment and personal transformation. These cards can be used as a daily affirmation practice or as a source of inspiration whenever you need a positive boost.
The Affirmation Pod Podcast: The Affirmation Pod is a popular podcast that offers a wide range of affirmations on various topics such as self-love, confidence, and resilience. Each episode provides a positive affirmation session accompanied by calming background music, allowing you to immerse yourself in the power of affirmations.
Exercise: Let's reframe exercise as an opportunity to support your mental climb. Instead of associating it solely with weight loss or negative body image, view it as a way to move your body and discharge the stress accumulated throughout your days. Embrace exercise as a chance to appreciate your mobility, spend time outdoors, connect with a friend, feel strong, or enhance focus.
Resources:
The 4 Fitness Apps That Also Prioritize Your Mental Health - Unlock the synergy between physical fitness and mental well-being with these four fitness apps that prioritize your mental health, as featured on MakeUseOf. With features like guided meditation, mood tracking, and stress management tools, these apps empower you to cultivate a balanced and wholesome approach to your overall health and wellness.
7 of the best free apps for your fitness and mental health during self-isolation - Hello Magazine highlights the top apps that prioritize mental health, offering a comprehensive approach to overall well-being. From meditation and sleep aid features to mood tracking and stress management tools, these apps empower users to prioritize their mental health alongside physical fitness, fostering a harmonious and balanced lifestyle.
The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise - Discover the profound impact of exercise on mental health with the insightful article by HelpGuide. Exploring the mental health benefits of exercise, the article sheds light on how physical activity can alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. It highlights the positive effects of exercise on mood regulation, self-esteem, and cognitive function, making a strong case for incorporating exercise as a powerful tool for improving overall mental well-being.
Rest: In our fast-paced lives filled with never-ending to-do lists, it's crucial to acknowledge that as adults with numerous responsibilities, that list will never be "done." It's important to treat our bodies kindly and honor our human nature. Since we aren't robots, our bodies' need for rest will vary depending on factors such as hormones, age, stress, sleep, and nutrition. Prioritizing rest and relaxation supports your mental health and allows you to make more positive choices.
Resources:
Stop Breathe & Think App: This app allows you to check in with how you're feeling and provides guided meditations and mindfulness exercises to help you relax and find balance. Incorporating this resource into your mental climb routine can contribute to your overall well-being.
Mayo Clinic Relaxation Techniques: The Mayo Clinic offers a range of relaxation techniques, including deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, and guided imagery. These techniques can help you embrace rest and relaxation as part of your mental climb journey.
"The Nap Ministry" (@thenapministry): is an incredible resource that promotes rest and rejuvenation. Through captivating reels and insightful posts, they challenge societal norms, encouraging us to prioritize rest as an essential act of self-care and resistance against a culture that glorifies busyness.
Remember, My Mental Climb is here to support you on your journey towards a mindset of resourcefulness and resilience. By incorporating these helpful tools and resources into your life, you can foster more positive thinking and enhance your mental health and well-being. Together, we can reach new heights on the path to a fulfilling and joyful life.